The Glass Castle (2017) Parents Guide: Is the movie OK for kids?
Age Rating, Sex, Violence & Language
A young girl is raised in a dysfunctional family constantly on the run from the FBI. Living in poverty, she comes of age guided by her drunkard, ingenious father who distracts her with magical stories to keep her mind off the family's dire state, and her selfish, nonconformist mother who has no intention of raising a family, along with her younger brother and sister, and her other older sister. Together, they fend for each other as they mature in an unorthodox journey that is their family life.
Rated PG-13 • 2017 • 2h 7m
The Glass Castle is a PG-13 drama about Jeannette Walls growing up in a brilliant but deeply dysfunctional family led by her alcoholic father, Rex. Parents should be aware the film contains child endangerment, brief but explicit references to child sexual abuse, an attempted sexual assault, recurring harsh profanity, and sustained alcohol misuse. Specific moments include a childhood burn that sends Jeannette to the hospital, an implied… Sign up for the full guide
Cast
Is The Glass Castle appropriate for kids?
The Glass Castle is a PG-13 drama about Jeannette Walls growing up in a brilliant but deeply dysfunctional family led by her alcoholic father, Rex. Parents should be aware the film contains child endangerment, brief but explicit references to child sexual abuse, an attempted… Read more — free account
Content severity in The Glass Castle
What happens in The Glass Castle, moment by moment
- 0:05 🔥 Mature Themes 4/10
- 0:12 ⚔ Violence & Gore 6/10
- 0:18 ♥ Sex & Nudity 8/10
Sex and nudity in The Glass Castle
Strong and disturbing in a few brief but important scenes. The film depicts an implied sexual assault on Jeannette’s younger brother Brian by their grandmother Erma (not shown in graphic detail) and contains an attempted rape of Jeannette by Robbie in an upstairs room later in the story; Jeannette resists and leaves. There is also some kissing between adult characters, but no nudity. These moments are used to illustrate family dysfunction rather than titillation.
Violence and gore in The Glass Castle
Moderate physical harm and occasional domestic violence appear across the film. Key scenes include Jeannette being badly burned while cooking and sent to a hospital, Rex returning beaten and bleeding (later requiring stitching), and a near-drowning episode when Rex recklessly teaches Jeannette to swim while intoxicated. Later, Rex punches Jeannette’s fiance David during a drunken confrontation. None of the injuries are shown as graphic gore, but several are emotionally intense.
Language in The Glass Castle
Moderate to strong coarse language throughout; multiple uses of words like "shit," "goddamn," "hell," and several harsher insults. Characters frequently argue and trade expletives, including at least one scene where Rex calls Rose Mary a severe slur. Expect repeated profanity in family confrontations and adult conversations.
Drugs, alcohol, and smoking in The Glass Castle
Alcohol is a recurring and central element: Rex is a chronic alcoholic, drinks at many key moments, and there are scenes of withdrawal (he ties himself down to quit). Characters are often drunk during confrontations (arm-wrestling, hustling), and smoking is visible. Drug use beyond alcohol and tobacco is not depicted.
Mature themes in The Glass Castle
Strong themes of neglect, poverty, homelessness, parental inconsistency, addiction, and emotional abuse run through the film. The story confronts childhood trauma (burn injuries, near-drowning), the long-term effects of parental alcoholism, and an instance of child sexual abuse by a relative. It also covers death and reconciliation (Rex’s eventual illness/death and Jeannette’s complicated forgiveness). These themes are central and sometimes intense.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Glass Castle appropriate for kids?
Bontent's parent guide suggests The Glass Castle is best for ages 13+. It's rated PG-13. The Glass Castle is a PG-13 drama about Jeannette Walls growing up in a brilliant but deeply dysfunctional family led by her alcoholic father, Rex. Parents should be aware the film contains child endangerment, brief but…
What age rating does The Glass Castle have?
The Glass Castle is officially rated PG-13. Bontent's independent parent guide recommends it for ages 13+.
What is The Glass Castle about?
The Glass Castle is a PG-13 drama about Jeannette Walls growing up in a brilliant but deeply dysfunctional family led by her alcoholic father, Rex. Parents should be aware the film contains child endangerment, brief but explicit references to child sexual abuse, an attempted sexual assault, recurring harsh profanity…
Is there sex or nudity in The Glass Castle?
Strong and disturbing in a few brief but important scenes. The film depicts an implied sexual assault on Jeannette’s younger brother Brian by their grandmother Erma (not shown in graphic detail) and contains an attempted rape of Jeannette by Robbie in an…
How violent is The Glass Castle?
Moderate physical harm and occasional domestic violence appear across the film. Key scenes include Jeannette being badly burned while cooking and sent to a hospital, Rex returning beaten and bleeding (later requiring stitching), and a near-drowning episode…
Is the language in The Glass Castle appropriate for kids?
Moderate to strong coarse language throughout; multiple uses of words like "shit," "goddamn," "hell," and several harsher insults. Characters frequently argue and trade expletives, including at least one scene where Rex calls Rose Mary a severe slur. Expect…
Are drugs, alcohol, or smoking shown in The Glass Castle?
Alcohol is a recurring and central element: Rex is a chronic alcoholic, drinks at many key moments, and there are scenes of withdrawal (he ties himself down to quit). Characters are often drunk during confrontations (arm-wrestling, hustling), and smoking is…
What mature themes appear in The Glass Castle?
Strong themes of neglect, poverty, homelessness, parental inconsistency, addiction, and emotional abuse run through the film. The story confronts childhood trauma (burn injuries, near-drowning), the long-term effects of parental alcoholism, and an instance of…
How long is The Glass Castle?
The Glass Castle runs 127 minutes, directed by Destin Daniel Cretton, released in 2017.
Where can I read the full The Glass Castle parent guide?
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